HER

pt. 27 Happy

We helped devour the cake, washing it down with champagne before we started playing games.

Everyone took turns trying to beat me at my favorite fighting game, to no avail.

Seokjin challenged me last, and even came close to beating me once or twice.
He was so determined that we sat there for a good half hour before he threw his hands up.
"It's my birthday, you should let me win!"

I stuck my tongue out at him. "You're the older one, oppa. You should be better."

His eyes widened at the title I used for him before he burst into laughter.

I punched him in the arm.

I played a basketball game with Jungkook, and lost embarrassingly. Hoseok challenged me to a dancing game, which I politely refused.
Seokjin accepted instead and I was blessed with a show of him trying to cheat, which didn't work at all.

I tried to help Namjoon at a claw machine, but in the end, Kia had to intervene with her superior claw machine skills. She tossed a stuffed crab at Namjoon, before kissing his dimple. He looked so happy.

I played a racing game with Taehyung. He was especially good, beating me eight times out of ten rounds.
I finally conceded.
He smirked at me, brushing my cheek with a finger. "You didn't think I would go easy on you, just because you look so beautiful tonight?"

I blushed, folding my arms defiantly,
"Well, I thought because I beat you so badly at that fighting game, that you must've been going easy on me for some reason."

He laughed, giving me one of his sexy half-smiles.

Then, Jimin announced that we should all do karaoke.

I groaned.

"I'm going to need more alcohol." I muttered.

Taehyung handed me a cup, grinning.
I glared at him, before chugging it.

Jimin and Jungkook started it off with a fun duet. They really both had fantastic voices.
Yoongi did a rap song, followed by Hoseok. Then Namjoon and Yoongi did a r&b duet.

I was waiting for someone to be terrible.

That did not happen.

Even Melissa had a cute voice, though she could only sing in English.

Then, the moment I was dreading came.

Jimin handed me the microphone. "Pick a song, noona!" His face was flushed from drink.

Thankfully we were all well into our cups, or else I would've just melted into the ground.
I stood at the screen, scrolling through songs.

And then I found it.

"I've had a lot to drink," I explained in the microphone, "and I've never claimed to be a good singer..."
"Just sing!" Melissa exclaimed, sitting on Hoseok's lap.

Ugh...

"~YOU AND ME IN THE MOONLIGHT, AHHHH~"

I guess I didn't do so terrible.

I think.

Hoseok and Jungkook had joined me at some point, singing and dancing like idiots. Eventually everyone joined in to dance.

It was actually extremely fun.

When I was done, I practically threw the microphone at Kia, who was next.

I sat down, wiping my forehead.
Being drunk and singing badly is hard work.

I turned to see a smirking Seokjin, sitting near me.
"So you found a KPOP song you like, huh? I wonder when you found that one." He said smugly.

I sniffed, looking away. "It's just easy to sing along to."

I could feel his smile.

"When are you going to sing?" I asked him.

He shrugged. "I don't have to, since it's my birthday. And I don't sing much these days."

I frowned.
That's not fair...

Before I knew it, Jimin was pulling me to my feet.
"Sing something with Taehyung, noona." He said, pushing the microphone into my hand, "His deep voice will compliment yours."

"We can sing in English." Taehyung commented as he scrolled through the list, "You know Sam Smith?"

I blinked, nodding.

Then we started singing, "Stay with Me."

Taehyung's voice was so beautiful, his tone perfect for the song.

I heard the lyrics and couldn't help but feel like the song was extremely personal.

I avoided Taehyung's eyes.

But I felt his gaze.

And Seokjin's.

By the end of the song, I felt like the room was entirely too suffocating.
"Excuse me." I mumbled, handing the microphone off to Melissa before I left the room.

I walked through the arcade blindly, the flashing lights and noises a blur.
I found an exit on the top floor, leading to stairs.
I sat on the top step, resting my head in my hands.

He definitely chose that song on purpose...

I shut my eyes.

I heard the door open and close.

I felt someone sit next to me.

I looked up.

Seokjin's profile was breathtaking.

And his expression was sad.
"Please, don't say anything." He began, his eyes downcast, "Just... Hear me out."

My mouth hung open, as I was just about to speak.
I shut it.

"I love you." He said, his voice almost a whisper. He cleared his throat and spoke more clearly, "I love you and I don't want to. I can't. I just... I didn't mean to." His laugh was mirthless, "I tried not to. At first, because I've been conditioned to do what my father wants. And then, it was because of Taehyung. I honestly tried." He shook his head, "You are everything my father doesn't want me to have. Ambitious, courageous, talented... You're a strong woman, with a natural born leader spirit. I couldn't blame Taehyung for falling for you so hard and so quickly. Because I already had..."

He took a deep breath,

"Taehyung will love you passionately and with everything he has. He's a bit immature and scared sometimes, but once he's committed, he's all in. He has that artistic soul that you seem to have as well. I can't blame you for loving him. I love him as well. He's my brother."

He turned his head as if to look at me but his eyes never met mine,
"I had to tell you how I feel, because I just couldn't go on lying. I've already told Chaeyoung that I couldn't return her feelings. I had to be honest with her. So, I just had to be honest with you too. You're important to me.
Taehyung is as well, so I had to tell him the truth. But I'm telling you what I told him, that you both don't have to worry about me. I don't want to lose either of you, so I will push my feelings aside and love you as my sister. I realize that's selfish but know that I will pay for that sin by watching you love another man. At least I can sleep well knowing it is a man such as Kim Taehyung. A man worthy of you."

He stood up, running a hand through his hair,
"Forgive me for any pain I may have caused you and Taehyung. I have a lot to pay for, and plan on doing so for the rest of my life. But it will be worth it to see you both happy."

And then he left.